From Publishers Weekly
Anholt (Camille and the Sunflowers) continues his imaginative series about great artists with this cleverly executed and engaging account of one of Leonardo da Vinci's real-life apprentices. When Leonardo tells Zoro that one day "people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below," the boy believes him. After all, "anything seemed possible in Leonardo's busy studio." But when Zoro and Salai, a mischievous urchin Leonardo has taken in (also seen in Guido Visconti and Bimba Landmann's The Genius of Leonardo, reviewed Sept. 18), sneak into their master's secret workshop and take his flying machine for a spin, there's trouble ahead. The story is relayed with verve, and the spry colored-pencil drawings that detail Zoro's escapades boast numerous comic touches (such as Leonardo nearly tripping over his oversize red slippers in his haste to get back to his studio when struck by inspiration) and sly references to Leonardo's body of work (backward writing on the endpapers; copies of his botanical drawings, inventions and character studies; even a Mona Lisa reproduction). A fun-filled and accessible introduction to one of science and art history's most fascinating figures. Ages 4-8. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-A rather slight story about two of the boys who worked in Leonardo's studio and workshops. The book is enlivened by Anholt's paintings and drawings, but especially enhanced by some of Leonardo's own sketchbook illustrations. Salai, a street urchin the artist seems to have been inexplicably attached to, is irrepressibly amoral and persuades the normally diligent and trustworthy Zoro to enter the inventor's secret workshop, lug his flying machine to a hilltop, and launch himself into the air. The resultant flight is very short and the landing is very hard. This incident is apparently documented and Anholt's slim volume may whet children's interest in the fascinating man.-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. Like Guido Visconti's recent Genius of Leonardo [BKL S 15 00], this title introduces Leonardo's life and accomplishments through imagined anecdotes about his apprentices. Using less stylized illustrations and a more straightforward text than Visconti, Anholt tells how young Zoro works with Leonardo as the master pursues his scientific and engineering advances and creates his masterpieces. Eventually, Zoro becomes so curious about the infamous flying machine that he and another apprentice, a "wild boy," try a test flight, with disastrous results. The fictional story ends with factual notes about Leonardo and the real Zoro. The story feels a bit loose, and Anholt overreaches in places: the wild boy really needs his own story. But this is an attractive starting point for youngsters learning about Leonardo's work for the first time. Children may also be interested in the other titles in Anholt's series about artists and young people, among them Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail (1998). Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
There were no spaceships or airplanes when Zoro was a boy. He lived in Italy during the era we now call the Renaissance, a time when the sky belonged to the birds. But one unusual man dreamed of incredible flying machines. "One day, Zoro," he told his pupil, "people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below." Zoro was curious. He knew that his teacher did more than merely dream about the future, but was an important artist and inventor. Then Zoro made an astonishing discovery. His teacher was building a mysterious machine. A machine intended to fly! Here begins a fascinating story based on a true event, for Zoro's master was the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Full-color illustrations throughout this beautiful book include reproductions of some of Leonardo's famous artworks. (Ages 4-8)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

There were no spaceships or airplanes when Zoro was a boy. He lived in Italy during the era we now call the Renaissance, a time when the sky belonged to the birds. But one unusual man dreamed of incredible flying machines. "One day, Zoro," he told his pupil, "people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below." Zoro was curious. He knew that his teacher did more than merely dream about the future, but was an important artist and inventor. Then Zoro made an astonishing discovery. His teacher was building a mysterious machine. A machine intended to fly! Here begins a fascinating story based on a true event, for Zoro's master was the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Full-color illustrations throughout this beautiful book include reproductions of some of Leonardo's famous artworks. (Ages 4-8)

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Anholt (Camille and the Sunflowers) continues his imaginative series about great artists with this cleverly executed and engaging account of one of Leonardo da Vinci's real-life apprentices. When Leonardo tells Zoro that one day "people will sail through the clouds and look down at the world below," the boy believes him. After all, "anything seemed possible in Leonardo's busy studio." But when Zoro and Salai, a mischievous urchin Leonardo has taken in (also seen in Guido Visconti and Bimba Landmann's The Genius of Leonardo, reviewed Sept. 18), sneak into their master's secret workshop and take his flying machine for a spin, there's trouble ahead. The story is relayed with verve, and the spry colored-pencil drawings that detail Zoro's escapades boast numerous comic touches (such as Leonardo nearly tripping over his oversize red slippers in his haste to get back to his studio when struck by inspiration) and sly references to Leonardo's body of work (backward writing on the endpapers; copies of his botanical drawings, inventions and character studies; even a Mona Lisa reproduction). A fun-filled and accessible introduction to one of science and art history's most fascinating figures. Ages 4-8. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal